Despite Trump 'America First' stance, US still represents powerful position on world stage (Letters)

Posted May 15, 2018 at 12:23 PM

President Donald Trump surrounded by children, waves, a Make America Great Again hat, on the Rose Garden in celebration of "Bring Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day" at the White House in Washington, Thursday, April 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Regarding the May 2 letter to the Editor entitled "America First' approach turning US into irrelevant bystander on world stage," page A6, the author fails to mention several recent important world events in which the Trump administration has played a lead role. First, there is the Trump initiated 65 year break through in the de-escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula that may formally end the Korean conflict as well as de-nuclearize North Korea. Second, the US led a coalition with Great Britain and France against Syria to enforce Obama's red line that the former President didn't. Finally, the Trump administration led a multitude of countries in kicking out Russian diplomats in protest to Russia's recent bad behavior in poisoning expatriates Great Britain. Doesn't sound to me as though the US is being perceived as irrelevant on the world stage.

Regarding the exit from the Trans Pacific Partnership or the renegotiating of NAFTA, President Trump is addressing our decades old multi-billion dollar trade deficits which have been proven to have negative impacts on the quantity and quality of jobs in manufacturing employment.

The United States has the largest economy in the world, by far. Fifty percent larger than number two China. As long as we have economic superiority we will maintain a stronger negotiating position and always have a seat at the world table. And that is nothing to be ashamed of or apologize for, even if one dislikes the Trump slogan of "America First".